In
the 1940s there existed, under the auspices of the Tilehurst Methodist
Church, a thriving organisation known as The Social and Recreational
Club. There were also several youth organisations. In 1943 one of these,
the Boys Club, put on an evening of entertainment, which included a
one-act play.
This
inspired The Social and Recreational Club to venture into the field of
amateur dramatics with a production of 'The House at Arrow Ghyll'.
Following this questionable masterpiece 'The Drama Club' was formed, the
name chosen by the members. They got into their stride with a number of
productions put on in the Hall in some discomfort. We believe the first
of these, in 1945, was 'Quiet Week-end'.
Later
the Youth Hall was built at The Triangle, roughly where Barclays Bank
now stands. This immediately suggested a better title for the Drama Club
which was re-named Triangle Players. The newly named group embarked on a
series of productions, growing in experience, confidence and ambition
as time went by.
In the repertoire were the following (not in chronological order):-
They Came to a City...J.B. Priestley This Happy Breed...
Hay Fever...
Blithe Spirit...Noel Coward
The Living Room...Graham Greene
The Diary of Anne Frank...
She Stoops to Conquer...Oliver Goldsmith
Pink String and Sealing Wax....M. Pertwee
The 'Sailor' sequence of plays
House by the Lake...A thriller
Beside the Seaside...perhaps our most popular
The opening of the new hall with its greatly improved stage made life much easier and productions more professional.
In
the 1950s the group decided to venture into annual pantomimes. These
were written, and still are, by the members and became an instant hit,
so much so that it became necessary to mount a third performance on the
two Saturdays, making a total of eight performances. In addition there
was the dress rehearsal to which Senior Citizens were invited in later
years. The group was also responsible for a number of events in the
Church such as Nativity plays.
The
early years were adventurous. The Methodist church supported the Triangle Players
financially until it became established. The group contained a large proportion of Church members and the leader and
producer, the late Alan Wiles, saw Drama as a 'side door' into the
church. Today, however things are very different. Although the drama group maintains its links with the church there is no obligation to be a member of the church to join the drama group.
An exciting scene from 'Beside the Sea' in October 1973!
'Ladies in retirement' April 1976'Bonaventure' April 1977
'The final line up of 'Murder at the Vicarage' in October 1995'
